Celebrating Healing in Arts – 2015!

Behind the Artwork

The Scarlet Cord ribbon cutting ceremony in Phoenix, February 2015It has been an exciting year—kicking off with an exhibition of The Scarlet Cord during the Pro Bowl and the Super Bowl in Phoenix Arizona. Film makers from Colorado Springs flew into Phoenix to capture The Scarlet Cord exhibit and the responses of survivors and visitors.

For ArtPrize Seven, my work called Hometown Hero invited viewers into the artistic process by writing the name of their personal heroes on the 24 x 6-foot canvas; thousands of visitors responded. One New York critic described her ArtPrize experience as having to fight “past the thicket surrounding Hometown Hero” before she could continue to explore other works.

Then the year finished strong with a Courage Ablaze exhibition—which highlights the remarkable courage of the Congolese women and children—at Michigan State University.

Photo: Grand Rapids artist Pamela Alderman (at left) watches as Jim Waring, vice mayor of Phoenix (left) and Mark Brnovich, attorney general of Arizona, cut the ribbon to open The Scarlet Cord. At rear are Miss Arizona 2011, Brittney Brannon Kennan (left), and survivor advocate Rozlind Saumalu (Photo courtesy of Doug Hartzler).

Children writing hero messages on Hometown Hero at ArtPrize SevenHometown Hero

ArtPrize Seven at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel
Voted Top 20 and 3rd Place in the Time-Based category

The Scarlet Cord

Phoenix, Arizona during the Pro Bowl and Super Bowl sponsored by StreetLightUSA
Women’s Expo at DeVos Place
Acton Institute and Prince Broekhuizen Gallery
The Scarlet Cord Film Premiere at the Grand Rapids Public Museum in partnership with Women At Risk International

Courage Ablaze at Michigan State UniversityCourage Ablaze

Van Singel Fine Arts Center
Catholic Information Center at Cathedral Square
Residential College of Arts and Humanities at Michigan State University

Enjoy your family and friends for the holidays.

Curious for what’s ahead in 2016? Stay tuned, I’ll be back in 2016.

Seven Years at ArtPrize

Behind the Artwork

Pamela Alderman - Seven years at ArtPrizePamela Alderman, a seven-year ArtPrize artist and a three-year finalist, creates interactive works that touch thousands of visitors with the message of hope and healing. Following ArtPrize, Pamela’s installations continue to be exhibited; The Scarlet Cord, from ArtPrize 2014, was featured in Phoenix during Super Bowl 2015.

ArtPrize History: Companions 2009, Woman in Red 2010, Braving the Wind 2011, Courage Ablaze 2012 (Top 100), Wing and a Prayer 2013 (Top 50), The Scarlet Cord 2014 (Top 25), Hometown Hero 2015

The Scarlet Cord Film: The Viewers Respond!

Behind the Artwork

The Scarlet Cord Film premiered at the Grand Rapids Public Museum in partnership with Women At Risk International this past week. The film, shot in Phoenix during the 2015 Super Bowl, helps raise awareness for children tethered in modern day slavery. Viewers gave an energetic response. The evening was an enormous success!

Here’s what some of the viewers had to say:

The film really brought out the idea of how these bonds hold tight, even if they are not physical bonds, but emotional ones. Its only by advocacy thru education, speaking out, and taking a stand, that these bonds can be broken. Beautifully done! Aaron

Powerful! I’m here tonight because my 15-year-old son walked through The Scarlet Cord at ArtPrize last fall; this was the piece that impacted him the most. He came home talking about it. Thank you.

What does it take to get this message into the 6th grade and middle schools? Kids often know things.

Unbelievable. Heart wrenching. Kay

Very compelling and an excellent way to show the severity of human trafficking, It would be great to see this made into a film for the masses to see at the theaters. Tammy

This was my story. (Young male viewer)

Taking Action Against Modern Day Slavery

General

Is human trafficking on the rise in our communities? Don’t miss The Scarlet Cord Film Premiere to learn more about the commercial sex industry in America.

The Scarlet Cord Film Premiere
The Grand Rapids Public Museum
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
6:00 pm – 8:0 pm
Tickets $5.00 at the door

We are all called to take action in unique ways within our own circles of influence to protect children at risk. Some may lead the fight from the front lines through outreach and rescue, but many of us are given a platform in our own communities through the use of our gifts and talents. The Scarlet Cord Film is about joining together in support and finding multiply ways to combat human trafficking.

Here are just a few suggestions:

  1. Crowned Free T-Shirt designTake a moment to visit Women At Risk International. Find out more about their boutiques and their US Training Center expansion project.
  2. Buy a copy of Elise Hilton’s book, A Vulnerable World. Learn more about how Hilton is bringing awareness to the horrible crime of modern day slavery.
  3. Crowned Free sells shirts made by women rescued out of sexual slavery. Pick up a shirt as another way to support the battle against the enslavement of children. Crown Free also helped make the filming of The Scarlet Cord Film possible.

The Scarlet Cord Film Trailer

Behind the Artwork

At ArtPrize 2014, I displayed my installation, called The Scarlet Cord, through a partnership with Women At Risk International, in hopes of raising awareness of human trafficking in the United States. 30,000 ArtPrize visitors received scarlet cord bracelets as a reminder to build circle of protection around children in need.

In early 2015, The Scarlet Cord was hosted by StreetLightUSA in Phoenix where much of the film was shot. This short film features the reactions of those who walked through the installation during the 2015 Super Bowl. Through this piece, I met trafficking and sexual abuse survivors who also shared their reactions as they experienced my art. This touching film also features human trafficking statistics and information on the horrors many children in America face.

The Scarlet Cord Film Premier is September 15, 2015 at the Grand Rapids Public Museum

The Scarlet Cord film creative collaborators: Producer Rochelle Raimão, Director Simon Scionka, and Artist Pamela Alderman.

For the latest information on The Scarlet Cord film or to schedule a film screening, visit: thescarletcordfilm.com.

‘The Scarlet Cord’ Video Premiere, 2015

General

For Immediate Release

Grand Rapids, MI – September, 2015 – Women At Risk, International will be hosting a movie premiere on Tuesday, September 15, at the Grand Rapids Public Museum from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with ArtPrize artist, Pamela Alderman. The film, based on the exhibit “The Scarlet Cord” will premiere following a panel discussion around modern day human trafficking. Those visiting the GRPM for the film and program may pre register at warinternational.org. Admission is $5.00. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Scene from The Scarlet Cord video

At ArtPrize 2014, Alderman displayed her piece, The Scarlet Cord through a partnership with WAR, Int’l, in hopes of raising awareness of human trafficking in the United States. Through that same partnership, community members will have the opportunity to learn about the face of human trafficking in West Michigan at this program on September 15.

This event will feature a panel that will include Pamela Alderman, WAR, Int’l president, Becky McDonald, author of “A Vulnerable World” and communication specialist at Acton Institute, Elise Hilton, Senator Judy Emmons, and Vanessa, a trafficking survivor. There will be a panel discussion followed by an opportunity for guests to ask questions and interact with the panel. After the panel discussion is completed The Scarlet Cord will be premiered.

This video features the reactions of those who walked through Alderman’s art installation during the 2015 Super Bowl in Phoenix. Through this piece, Alderman met trafficking and sexual abuse survivors who also shared their reactions as they experienced her art. This touching film also features human trafficking statistics and information on the horrors many children in America face.

The event will conclude with volunteers tying the infamous scarlet cords on the wrists of those in attendance as an ever-present reminder of the pain those engulfed in human trafficking experience each and every day.

Please note that this program and film may include content that could be disturbing.

For more information, please contact:

Women At Risk, International
(616) 855-0796
www.warinternational.org

About Women At Risk, International

WAR, Int’l is a non-profit organization that works in over 40 countries addressing 14 risk issues. The purpose of WAR, Int’l is to create circles of protection and hope around at-risk women and children through culturally sensitive, sustainable projects and partnerships. WAR, Int’l has a passion for giving a voice to the silenced cries of the oppressed while wrapping arms of love around them, and empowering them to live with hope and dignity.

About The Scarlet Cord

The Scarlet Cord is an award-winning art exhibit aimed at raising awareness of child sex trafficking. The unique art exhibit is housed in a 40-foot storage container that includes thirty weathered doors with portraits bound by a twisted scarlet cord. Artist Pamela Alderman’s motivation for creating The Scarlet Cord installation and video was to inspire healing for sex-trafficked children. To schedule an exhibit or video showing, contact the artist at www.watercolorbypamela.com.